Whole Wheat Sunflower Seed Bread

by Kiran on October 2, 2012 · 108 comments

in Baking, bread

It’s already October?!? I won’t ask how or why, but I’m sure the oven in everyone’s home is pretty much “on” all the time.

Fall is upon us!!

But wait…

Florida doesn’t seem like it’s even close to feel “fall”. It’s almost 90s every single day! And to top it off, the never ending humidity.

It can be sunshiny or humid all day long. That wouldn’t matter to me one bit. So long the air conditioner continues to function, I’m all for embracing fall baking through all the heat.

And it all begins with a homemade whole wheat sunflower seed bread.

“That’s it Mom — I’ve concurred some of my fear in bread making. Its not a perfect loaf, just made out of love.”

There’s a sense of healing when it comes to baking. Enveloping the warmth, punching down on risen bread dough and slicing into fresh bread — makes it all so worthwhile.

And to top it all off? I finally tried poaching eggs. And failed at it miserably. It took me at least three tries and the loss of three eggs to get it just right.

You’d think cooking with eggs is the easiest, right?

If poached eggs aren’t your thing, try slathering freshly baked bread with your favorite fruit preserves, jams or make a tuna melt of some sort.

The possibilities are endless……

Enough of me blabbering — clear sign that I haven’t had my daily dose of caffeine just yet.

Print This Recipe Print This Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 tsp rapid rise dried yeast
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 3 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup almond oil
  • 3/4 cup warm milk

Directions:

  1. Combine yeast, honey and warm water in a small bowl. Stir and allow yeast to proof (bubble) for a few minutes.
  2. Mix flour, salt and sunflower seeds in a large bowl with a wooden spoon or a stand-mixer using a dough hook.
  3. Add proofed yeast and almond oil. Knead for a minute.
  4. Gradually add warm milk and continue kneading. Dough should be wet and sticky.
  5. Place dough in a well oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise until doubled in bulk in a warm place, for about an hour.
  6. Grease and lightly flour one loaf pan.
  7. Punch down dough. Knead for a minute and shape dough into a loaf. Add shaped dough into loaf pan and allow to rise for 30 minutes or until dough has risen 1 inch above loaf pan.
  8. Preheat oven to 375F.
  9. Sprinkle top of risen dough with sunflower seeds and bake for 30 minutes.
  10. Once baked, turn out bread from pan and leave to cool on a wire rack.

Note: Do not over-knead dough. Wouldn’t want a tough loaf, won’t ya?


Off to put my feet up and enjoy the rest of a sunny day. Or perhaps rustle up another batch of baking? Let’s see.

What are you loving about fall?

 

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1 Cassie October 2, 2012 at 12:34 PM

This is beautiful bread! And I love sunflower seeds, I have some in the pantry now. Love this!
Cassie recently posted..Corn Cookies

2 Kiran October 6, 2012 at 11:24 PM

Cassie — thank you 🙂

3 Rosa October 2, 2012 at 12:59 PM

A gorgeous loaf! Homemade bread cannot be beat… I also love to add sumflower seeds to my dough.

Nice clicks. I especially like the second one from the top.

Cheers,

Rosa

4 Kiran October 6, 2012 at 11:25 PM

Rosa — thank you so much!

5 fabiola@notjustbaked October 2, 2012 at 2:09 PM

I love these photos and the bread. I am making a promise to myself to bake bread every week in some form, I will have to try this one out. Apparently we have an Indian summer here in the Portland area, so much that my tomatoes are still growing, and the peaches are still amazing!
fabiola@notjustbaked recently posted..Sweet and Sour Cabbage

6 Kiran October 6, 2012 at 11:51 PM

Fabiola — just enjoy your summer produce. Hot oven can wait 🙂

7 Nash at Plateful October 2, 2012 at 3:01 PM

The bread looks gorgeous, and I’m so in love with all your photos — simply stunning!
Nash at Plateful recently posted..Nutella Instant Iced Coffee, aka Homemade Mocha Frappuccino

8 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:57 AM

Nash — thank you so much my dear friend! 🙂

9 recipeland October 2, 2012 at 3:40 PM

Totally agree with the last a few reviewers, the photos all look beautiful, nicely presented. I make whole wheat bread all the time too, this one sounds yummy. Will be trying it soon 🙂

10 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:58 AM

Recipeland — thank you for the compliments! and do let me know how it tastes 🙂

11 Laura (Tutti Dolci) October 2, 2012 at 3:56 PM

I was drooling over your Instagram – this bread is beautiful!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) recently posted..pumpkin-chocolate swirl bundt cake

12 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:58 AM

Laura — thanks dear 🙂

13 Julia | JuliasAlbum.com October 2, 2012 at 4:47 PM

Beautiful looking bread. That egg looks like a perfect breakfast to em.
Julia | JuliasAlbum.com recently posted..Ravioli with spinach and ricotta cheese filling, in tomato cream sauce

14 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Julia – thank you!

15 Alyssa (Everyday Maven) October 2, 2012 at 4:50 PM

I am in love with sunflower seeds on sandwich bread. There is this Ezekiel bread I buy here in the PNW called “Sasquatch” that is full of seeds and the sunflower are the most prominent – it’s awesome!
Alyssa (Everyday Maven) recently posted..The Food Matters Project: Smoked Paprika, Almond + Parsley Encrusted Caña de Cabra

16 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 8:04 PM

Alyssa — I’ve been reading about Ezekiel bread. Must give it a try soon 🙂

17 Norma Chang October 2, 2012 at 4:59 PM

I like it open face with the poached egg, tomato and lettuce, maybe a slice of prosciutto too.

18 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:17 PM

Norma — sounds like how we would enjoy it too!

19 Ashley - Baker by Nature October 2, 2012 at 7:09 PM

I’m not a huge bread eater, but this gorgeous loaf could work its way into my life any day!
Ashley – Baker by Nature recently posted..Spaghetti with Sausage, Olives, And Red Bell Pepper Sauce

20 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:21 PM

Ashley — 🙂

21 lizzie - strayed from the table October 2, 2012 at 9:20 PM

I seem to be baking more bread all of a sudden too. Though the humidity plays havoc when the bread is rising. Soaking up more water than necessary. Once you ace poaching an egg, you will do it endlessly.
lizzie – strayed from the table recently posted..Black Myrtle Cafe, Woombye

22 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:39 PM

Lizzie — I don’t think I have enough courage to waste more eggs 😉

23 Nik October 2, 2012 at 9:29 PM

How fun, love the sunflower bread ! Glad to know it is warmer at your end
Nik recently posted..ruffled blueberry chocolate cake

24 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:42 PM

Nik — I want to fill the autumn air. Had enough of “warm” climate.

ps: I know there’s some unfinished business, but I can’t seem to find time at the moment. I’ll get back to you soonish 🙂

25 Raymund October 3, 2012 at 1:27 AM

Nice one specially that bread topped with egg, well done
Raymund recently posted..Cucur Udang

26 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:46 PM

Raymund — thank you!

27 Choc Chip Uru October 3, 2012 at 3:41 AM

What a stunning bread, I love the creations you make using it 😀

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..Happy 1st Birthday Go Bake Yourself + International Giveaway

28 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:47 PM

Uru — thank you, my dear friend 🙂

29 Carolyn Chan October 3, 2012 at 4:14 AM

That bread looks wonderful ! And topped with that poached egg…wow.
Carolyn Chan recently posted..Rustic blueberry tart

30 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:52 PM

Carolyn — thanks friend 🙂

31 Katerina October 3, 2012 at 4:25 AM

I’ve been to Florida and I know exactly what you mean when you say humidity! Here is Greece is very hot too these days, but without the humidity lol. I think what thrills me the most when baking bread is the smell while it is baking in the oven. I just make circles around the oven like a shark ready to attack, haha. Your bread looks perfect!
Katerina recently posted..FLT Sandwich

32 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:53 PM

Katerina — I can imagine the circling bit 😉 My brother in law’s dad is from Greece 🙂

33 Sanjeeta kk October 3, 2012 at 5:08 AM

Wholewheat and pumpkin seeds..what more could I ask for in my healthy loaf! beautiful clicks, Kiran,,like that oozing egg yolk over the bread slice.
Sanjeeta kk recently posted..Recipes | A Few Healthy Savory Indian Breakfast treats with Sago and Semolina

34 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 10:58 PM

Sanjeeta — thank you my dear 🙂

35 Lisa October 3, 2012 at 5:48 AM

I can’t help thinking how good this bread would be with some of my chevre on it..along with loads of veggies..OR, grilled and melted. Your goodies are always so amazing! I’m filing this bread in my ‘to try’ folder 🙂
Lisa recently posted..Cheeseballs and Cheese filled Turkish Flatbread for Cheesepalooza, plus Part 17

36 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:07 PM

Lisa — thanks a lot sweetie! I love your suggestion on chevre and veggies. Do let me know how it tastes 🙂

37 chinmayie @ love food eat October 3, 2012 at 6:44 AM

I too have a whole wheat bread recipe on my blog right now!!
chinmayie @ love food eat recently posted..100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Loaf (My Version With Some Tricks & Tips)

38 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:14 PM

Chin — I love to believe that great minds, thinks alike 😉

39 Sophie October 3, 2012 at 7:01 AM

A delightful & very tasty looking sunflower bread! easy does it here! I also love, love the photo of the leaking poached egg!

Yummy Yum, Kiran!
Sophie recently posted..Vegan chocolate mousse!

40 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:17 PM

Sophie — thank you, my dear 🙂

41 marla October 3, 2012 at 7:32 AM

Such a great looking bread. We love sunflower seeds ~ pinned to make this weekend!
marla recently posted..Roasted Maple Coconut Apple Butter

42 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:18 PM

Marla — thank you so much for pinning, my dear friend. Let me know how it tastes 🙂

43 tania@mykitchenstories.com.au October 3, 2012 at 7:33 AM

Well done your bread looks great. I love the colour green you have used in your photo. A poached egg is not actually an easy thing to cook. You did well to produce it after only the third time!
tania@mykitchenstories.com.au recently posted..In my Kitchen October

44 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:22 PM

Tania — thanks a lot, friend 🙂

45 Baker Street October 3, 2012 at 8:40 AM

what a gorgeous loaf! there’s nothing that beats the feeling of biting into a freshly baked homemade loaf.
Baker Street recently posted..Pumpkin and Chocolate Marble Bundt Cake #BundtaMonth

46 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:22 PM

Anu — thanks my dear 🙂

47 Sommer@ASpicyPerspective October 3, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Oh my GOODNESS! What stunning bread and photos!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective recently posted..Creepy Crawly Cake Truffles

48 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:27 PM

Sommer — thank you, my dear 🙂

49 amy @ fearless homemaker October 3, 2012 at 9:34 AM

This bread looks just lovely! I love making homemade bread of any sort – i think the kneading is therapeutic, and the house smells oh-so-wonderful while it bakes. Mmmm!
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..slow-cooker beef stroganoff

50 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:28 PM

Amy — you are right about therapeutic! 🙂

51 Sandra's Easy Cooking October 3, 2012 at 11:23 AM

Very Delicious looking bread, and those pics makes my mouth water…wonderfully done! Have a lovely day!!!!
Sandra’s Easy Cooking recently posted..Korean Oxtail Soup

52 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:46 PM

Sandra — thank you and hope you have a lovely day as well 🙂

53 Monet October 3, 2012 at 12:09 PM

Beautiful…”there is a sense of healing”…what true words! Thank you for sharing good food and inspiring words. Much needed on this somewhat cooler October morning. I hope you are having a wonderful day!
Monet recently posted..Pepita Caramels

54 Kiran October 7, 2012 at 11:49 PM

Monet — you are welcome my friend, and thank you for your support 🙂

55 Nancy/SpicieFoodie October 3, 2012 at 12:43 PM

As someone that lives in a place where the summers are too short, and cold weather lasts too long- I wouldn’t mind the 90s. Your bread looks amazing! I love both whole wheat and sunflower seed breads. My cockatiels would also love this, lol:) The poached egg looks perfect!
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56 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 12:37 AM

Nancy — I concur with you about rather having summer than longer winter. Just the thought of it gives me chills!!

57 The Squishy Monster October 3, 2012 at 1:14 PM

The shot with the yolk is to die for…this bread sounds hearty and satisfying—I can’t wait to try it!
The Squishy Monster recently posted..60 Candles

58 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 12:38 AM

TSM — thanks dear, let me know how it tastes 🙂

59 Alison @ Ingredients, Inc October 3, 2012 at 1:18 PM

omg this looks so amazing! I pinned it!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc recently posted..Nonalcoholic Bananas Foster: Kid Friendly

60 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 12:38 AM

Alison — thanks for the pin love, dear 🙂

61 Vijitha October 3, 2012 at 2:57 PM

OMG! That looks so good Kiran. I loved the gooey egg shot. Very pretty!
Vijitha recently posted..Vietnamese Cooking: Chicken Satay with lettuce, herbs, peanut sauce and brown rice

62 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 12:39 AM

Vijitha — thank you, my dear friend 🙂

63 Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies October 3, 2012 at 3:26 PM

These photos are stunning! I’ve always been a little bit scared to make bread, I have to admit. It’s on my to-do list for the fall, though. Love the sunflower seeds on top!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies recently posted..How To Make Beans in a Slow Cooker + Freeze Them For Future Use

64 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:10 AM

Kiersten — I used to be afraid of handling yeast, dough etc. I thought it was intimidating, but the overall process is so easy and therapeutic. Try it 🙂

65 Mary @ Fit and Fed October 3, 2012 at 4:19 PM

I love the second photo with the egg and the fork– must be hard to set that up! I am making bread today, too, a whole wheat focaccia for my teenager who loves Italian style sandwiches.
Mary @ Fit and Fed recently posted..Brunost!

66 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:12 AM

Mary — so true. Thank god for wireless remote 🙂

67 Hannah October 3, 2012 at 5:08 PM

Such a tease… I could sure use some of that Florida warmth about now.

That photo of the bread in the wire basket is breathtaking. It simply glows!
Hannah recently posted..Fall Flavors

68 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:14 AM

Hannah — Didn’t meant it as a tease, but having summer for so many months now can be a little tiring and volumous on hair 😀

69 Daisy@Nevertoosweet October 3, 2012 at 6:31 PM

Oh yummy and healthy bread woo hoo 🙂 And if you sure that there’s a never ending humidity then this bread will definitely help take some of the heat hehe ~
Daisy@Nevertoosweet recently posted..Farm Animals and Food – The Royal Melbourne Show

70 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:19 AM

Daisy — I was hoping for the same 😉

71 carolinaheartstrings October 3, 2012 at 8:14 PM

Great post! The bread looks fantastic. I miss living in Florida.
carolinaheartstrings recently posted..WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

72 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:21 AM

CHS — thank you my dear, and come visit us soon 🙂

73 Hotly Spiced October 4, 2012 at 12:52 AM

I love your images, Kiran. And that photo of you (or someone) holding bread is stunning. I love this type of bread and when I was growing up my mother made something really similar. This would be perfect on poached eggs and I love poached eggs for breakfast xx
Hotly Spiced recently posted..Just For Fun

74 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:23 AM

Charlie — thank you so much, my dear friend. I was the culprit modeling the bread 😉

75 Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella October 4, 2012 at 1:13 AM

That looks wonderful! I love the shot with the gooey yolk and the fork too! 😀
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella recently posted..Postcards From Amsterdam

76 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:23 AM

Lorraine — thanks, my dear 🙂

77 Angie@Angie's Recipes October 4, 2012 at 9:22 AM

A wonderful homemade bread!
Great clicks!
Angie@Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Honey Lemon Roasted Hokkaido Wedges

78 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:29 AM

Angie — thanks dear 🙂

79 Asmita October 4, 2012 at 10:11 AM

Gorgeous bread and clicks!
Asmita recently posted..Creamy Asparagus Soup

80 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:29 AM

Asmita — thank you so much!!

81 Reem | Simply Reem October 4, 2012 at 10:30 PM

I remember seeing this on instagram and drooling over the runny egg 😉
What a fabulous bread Kiran, I am so so lazy when it comes to making bread.. But this recipe looks easy n delicious.. Will give it a try…
Reem | Simply Reem recently posted..Comment on About by Indian Chicken Curry | Easy Asian Recipes at RasaMalaysia.com

82 Kiran October 8, 2012 at 1:35 AM

Reem — thank you so much my dear. Bread is so easy to make. It only takes time to “proof”, but the rest is easy peasy 🙂

83 Julia {The Roasted Root} October 5, 2012 at 12:05 AM

Your sunflower seed bread is absolutely gorgeous! Very well presented! I would love some thick slices of it with a couple of eggs on top and some veggies for a nice breakfast sandwich. Beautiful, impressive and healthy!

84 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:01 AM

Julia — thank you so much, dear friend! I love your idea of a nice breakfast sandwich 🙂

85 Parsley Sage October 5, 2012 at 3:38 AM

Poached eggs work for me! Sorry it took you so long to master! It’s tricksy, though! So glad you kept at it. Your bread looks lovely, darling!
Parsley Sage recently posted..Restaurant Week 2012: XQ’s Pizza Bar Grill

86 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:05 AM

Parsley Sage — thanks dear, I guess I’m stubborn and just won’t give up until it’s done 😉

87 Meeta October 5, 2012 at 9:16 AM

Poacehd eggs are the biggest pleasure and that on a fresh homemade bread is life’s luxurious pleasures. A lovely post!
Meeta recently posted..Bollywood Cooking: The Basics of an Indian Chicken Curry

88 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:06 AM

Meeta — 🙂

89 Deb October 5, 2012 at 7:28 PM

We are still in the midst of our “Indian Summer” here in California. But that hasn’t stopped me from making fall recipes either! I am rather fond of baking with sunflower seeds, they have such a fresh nutty flavor. Your whole wheat bread is so radiant! The photo with the poached egg is just voluptuous, well done!

90 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:35 AM

Deb — 🙂

91 Matt @ The Athlete's Plate October 5, 2012 at 8:03 PM

So this basically looks amazing.
Matt @ The Athlete’s Plate recently posted..A Fall Survey

92 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:37 AM

Matt — thanks! 🙂

93 albertocook October 6, 2012 at 4:25 AM

This bread is delicious.
We in ItalY we have one similar but your looks much better…
thank you for your recipe

94 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:38 AM

Alberto — I can never replicate better bread than any Italians 😉 but thank you so much for the humble compliment!!!

95 Tadka Pasta October 6, 2012 at 7:45 AM

Gorgeous pics! I don’t care for poached eggs, but that one perched on the bread tower..yum!!!
Tadka Pasta recently posted..Floored by Flowery Fritters

96 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 4:41 AM

Tadka Pasta — thanks for the compliment, my friend 🙂

97 Wendy Watson October 6, 2012 at 2:45 PM

Made the bread today. Yum! Couldn’t find oil in my area so used safflower oil. Unsure how long to knead so just went with my gut. I think it’s good. We’ll see what the family says!

98 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 12:35 PM

Wendy — thank you so much for the feedback. I hope your family enjoyed it 🙂 I only kneaded it for a few minutes. Since it’s made with whole wheat, I just didn’t want the bread to be tough. Allow plenty of rising though 🙂

99 Kristi Rimkus October 6, 2012 at 2:49 PM

The bread with the poached egg and tomato looks simply mouthwatering. I love how you caught the yolk dribbling down the side. This is a recipe worth sharing for sure! Have a good weekend. 🙂
Kristi Rimkus recently posted..Why Buy Pizza the Same Old Pizza! Try a Shrimp and Goat Cheese Pizza Instead

100 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 12:36 PM

Kristi — thank you my friend, and hope you had a great weekend too 🙂

101 Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen October 6, 2012 at 7:33 PM

Love that shot with the poached egg, which looks perfectly poached by the way.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen recently posted..Raw Double Layer Chocolate Fudge with Cacao Nibs

102 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Sylvie — thanks love 🙂

103 Barbara | Creative Culinary October 7, 2012 at 1:19 PM

We’re still finishing off a sunflower seed quick bread I made last week; wondering why I’ve never thought to put them in a bread before…only on top of. Now I want to try your yeast version…looks wonderful!
Barbara | Creative Culinary recently posted..The Aperol Negroni and Americano

104 Kiran October 9, 2012 at 12:37 PM

Barbara — thanks dear, do try and let me know how it tastes. I love simple and delicious homemade bread recipes 🙂

105 Nami | Just One Cookbook October 10, 2012 at 2:12 AM

I’ve never tried sunflower seed bread. Love to try that… and egg is perfectly cooked just the way I love it!
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106 dassana October 14, 2012 at 2:01 PM

a beautiful bread. the first pic is too good.
dassana recently posted..green peas sundal | navratri recipe

107 Janine Daniels May 27, 2013 at 9:31 AM

Love sunflower seeds, so I am looking forward to making this. Quick question, though: how much almond oil? Recipe only says 1…is that 1 teaspoon, Tablespon, or cup? I am assuming it is one Tablespoon but don’t want to muck up the recipe! Thanks

108 Kiran May 31, 2013 at 12:55 AM

Janine — thanks for writing in. i’m sorry, the almond oil measures at 1/4 cup. i’ve amended the recipe, thanks for pointing it out. let me know how it tastes! enjoy baking 🙂

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